Locking device for motor cars



Oct. 22, 1940. TALENT Y 2,218,730

LOCKING DEVICE FOR MOTOR CARS Filed March 7, 1958 :IE A! Patented Oct. 22, 1940 a v I 2,218,730

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,218,730 I LOCKING DEVICE FOR MOTOR CARS Victor Talent, Zurich, Switzerland I Application March 7, 1938, Serial N04 194,431 In Switzerland March 31, 1937 13 Claims. (01.70-255) The object of the present invention is the An embodiment of the invention is shown by provision of a locking device for motor cars. way of example in the annexed drawing, in which:

Whenever a car is parked on a slope precau- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a device accordtions must be taken to prevent it from starting ing to the present invention.

off on its own accord. The present method of Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown 5 locking the speed changing gears and jamming in Figurel. the hand brake is unsatisfactory with respect to Figure 3 is an end view of the locking device safety and is also inconvenient because of the according to the present invention. necessary operation of the two means when re- Figure 4 illustrates a detail of the present instarting the car. As a matter of fact, an .accivention. I 10 dental release of the brake lever is sufiicient to Figure 5 shows, on a larger scale, a part sec- I set the car in motion and to cause serious accitional elevational view of the operating mechadents. v nism and 1 These drawbacks are eliminated by the device Figure 6 is a plan view of this operating'meohaccording to the invention in which a locking anism with the unlocking lever. 15

mechanism is attached to the driving shaft; the Figure 7 is an isometric view of a detail of the locking member of said mechanism can be bolted mechanism accordin to t e p es nvent o by means of a bolt connected to the clutch pedal; In the drawing 0 a es the drive Shaft 0f the device according to the invention is operated a motor car. On this shaft a lock member in by means of an operating means and an unlockthe form of a cogged disc I is mounted, the cogs ing lever which is mechanically connected with having a dovetail profile. Abase member includthe ignition key of the engine, pulling off means ing "a bed plate 2 is mounted on the casing of connected with the locking member for automatithe speed changing gear box E which plate at cally returning it to its rest position when said its extreme rear carries a guide block 3 inwhich bolt is brought back by depressing the clutch a'pawl or key member 4 glides longitudinally and pedal and the accelerator after having brought forms the locking .means in its extreme right back the unlocking lever, the mechanical conposition. This pawl extends between the cogs neotion of the unlocking lever with the ignition of the cogged disc I. The spaces on the disc I key is such that this key can only be turned to in between the cogs are'considerably wider than cut ofi the ignition current when the said unthe cogs and the pawl, so that the latter will eas- '30 looking lever is situated in its locking position ily enter said spaces when it is pushedbackand the latter cannot be returned into unlockwards into locking position, and it can likewise ing position unless the key has again been opbe withdrawn from this position into unlocking erated to close the ignition circuit. 7 position without great effort. 5 Preferably the locking mechanism consists of A support 5 is mounted on the center part of a cogged disc mounted on the driving shaft and. the bed plate 2 and another support 6 on the forof a pawl gliding axially and being adapted to ward part of the guide block 3. In these two supengage the cogs of the cogged disc. ports an actuating rod 1 is placed so as to glide This arrangement provides for an absolutely longitudinally. The block 3 is provided with a 40 reliable stop stationed on a motor car stationed longitudinal groove 37 which is in line with the 40 on a slope,- and a very simple operation of the rod 1! and a pin 8 passing through this groove device, especially when starting; it suffices to is fixed vertically on the pawl 4. A cam 9 is move back the u loc vlevel and epress the fixed on the'rod 'lbetween the supports 5 and 6 clutch pedal when the motor car is stationed on nd between this flange and the support 6 there the level to release the locked driving shaft, the is a helical spring I0 surrounding the rod 1. A 45 ds of the p r being t us free for the helical reaction spring ll likewise surrounding other operations because the pulling off means the r d 1 is fixed at one end to the support 6 return the locking member automatically to its and at the other end to the pin 8. Rod 1! is unlocking position. If the motor car is started adapted t temporarily abuttingly engage pj n 3 5 011 a Slope the accelerator must Of course be for pushing pawl 4 into locking position against Operatei I the action of springs l0 and H.- Arresting means r v an s t p t i is ta n d for arresting the locking means 4 in desired posia a nst any aud t use or ft of the motor tion will now be described. In the guide block by third persons who a e 10 i possession of 3 slides a bolt lz which is pressed by the action akey. of a spring into a lockingnotch 4a (Figure 4) 55 in the pawl 4; the latter is provided with another locking notch 412 at a distance 0 from notch 4a which distance corresponds to the stroke of the pawl. The bolt I2 can be withdrawn from the locking notch by means of a flexible connecting means l3 one end of which is connected to bolt I2 and the other end of which is fastened to the clutch operating pedal P. In view of the shallowness of the locking notches 4a and 4b and consequently the short stroke of the bolt I2, the connection I3 makes a very restricted movement only and is therefore fixed at a very short distance from the pivot of the pedal. The connecting means l3 comprise a sheath which is fixed on the gear box E.

The bed plate 2 carries a pivot 24 for a twoarm lever I5 the short arm of which forms a fork surrounding the rod I between the support 5 and the cam 9. To the end of the long arm of lever l5 one end of a rod I6 is connected the other end of which is fastened to an operating mechanism fixed to the steering shaft A.

Figures 5 and 6 show this operating mechanism. An oblong hollow block I! is attached to the steering shaft A, enclosing at its extreme end the ignition lock which is of conventional construction and is used to control the ignition circuit by means of a key l8. The operating or actuating rod I9 which is connected with rod l6 extends along the steering shaft A and through the block H; at its free end, which is curved, it carries an operating button, and in its part which extends through the block I! is provided with an annular groove I9a. A holdingand release means in the form of an unlocking lever 20 is pivoted at 20p to block 11; it has near its pivotend an indentation 20a which encompasses groove I9a of the rod I9 when said groove is in position to face lever 20. Normally groove I9a is located below lever 20, as on Figure 5. A helical spring 2I placed in the block I! and being situated opposite the indentation 20a abuts against a face provided on the lever 20; this spring tends to push lever 20 towards the left on Figure 6. An extension rod 22 of the lock cylinder carries a contact point 23 which penetrates between two contact blades 24 fixed to the interior of the block [1 and at the rear end of this rod 22 there is placed a cam 25 whose one plane face of which abuts lever 21] when it is in rest or unlocking position so that rotation of the lock cylinder is prevented. In the rear of the contact blades 24 are two contact blades 26 which can be brought into contact with each other by means of a boss 20b fixed to the lower face of the lever 20. The pair of contact blades 24 is intercalated in the ignition circuit, and the pair of blades 26 is in the circuit of the starter motor resistance. The electric wire connected with these contact blades are united in a cable 30 fixed to the steering column A. The rocking movement of the unlocking lever 20 in the direction to the right on Figure 6 is limited by an abutment l Ia on block I1.

In order to lock momentarily the unlocking lever in its rest position a retaining means having a spur 21 has been provided which is arranged in a boss I10 and mounted on the upper face of the block I I and adapted to enter into an aperture 200 of the lever 20 (Figure 6), a spring 29 serving to press this spur downwards. At its end the spur 2'! bears a cam head 28 which, when turned, allows under the action of the spring 29 a downward movement of the spur 21 which then locks the lever 20 when it is desired to use the locking mechanism instead of the hand brake, not for the purpose of braking, but to keep.

the car on a slope, for instance, with the intention of changing the direction of propulsion or of turning.

In most cars the disc I can be combined with the drum F of the hand brake so that the device does not take up much space.

The device thus described operates as follows:

In the drawing the device is shown in the position during driving or at rest. If it is desired to park the car on a slope the clutch pedal P is pressed in such a way that the connection l3 withdraws the bolt I2 from its locking notch 4a so that the pawl 4 is released. The button of the operating rod I9 is then raised in such a way that the indentation 20a of the unlocking lever 20 which lever swings towards the left as seen in Fig. 6 under the pressure of the spring 2| coacts with groove Illa of rod I9, as indicated in dash and dotted lines in Figure 6. The lever 20 having released the cam 25 by its movement towards the left, the key I8 can be turned and the ignition circuit of the engine cut off after which the key is withdrawn. The lever 20 is now locked in its position owing to the fact that the cam 25 is pressing against the right hand face of this lever so as to prevent any return movement of the latter.

The striker rod I6 being connected with rod l9 causes movement of lever I5 around the pivot I4 when rod I9 ascends. The short arm of this lever which presses on the flange 9 thrusts rod 1 to the right and, by means of pin 8, pushes pawl 4 to the right so as to cause it to engage between thecogs of cogged disc I whereby spring I0 is compressed whereas spring II is expanded until notch 4b engages the bolt I2. Paw] 4 is now locked and blocks the cogged disc I and with it shaft C and the wheels of the motor car. I The car is thus locked with absolute security,

and at the same time any fraudulent use or theft of the car is prevented. Moreover the cog of the disc the face of which presses on the pawl has a locking effect on the latter. The necessary operations for re-starting the car depend on the direction of the slope, i. e. as to whether the motor car is parked on an up or a down grade. In order to start on an up grade the key I8 is introduced into the ignition lock and turned so as to cause the closing of the ignition circuit at the contacts 23/24. At the same time the cam 25 turns so as to release the unlocking lever 20.

This lever 20 is now turned towards the right (on Figure 6). The lever 20 releases the operating rod IQ of rod I6 so as to bring back the latter to its rest position under the action of the spring III. When the lever 20 moves toward abutment Ila of the block II, the boss 20b of the lever closes for a moment the contact 26 of the starting resistance, this contact being reopened when the lever returns to its rest position. This latter operation then starts the engine, which can be done without difficulty, as each time that the car is stopped with the intention of parking, the engine is allowed to run idly by operating the change speed gear lever. Now the clutch pedal P is pressed in such a way that the bolt I2 releases pawl 4. The change speed lever is then operated for the speed required, and finally the accelerator and the clutch pedal P are operated simultaneously. The drive shaft with the cogged disc I now begins to rotate, the locking action on the pawl 4 by the disc cog is likewise suspended so that the pawl 4 can be withdrawn by its spring ll to be brought back tOitSII'GStPOSitiOIlI During nearly all these operations the chauffeur can easily use both his hands for driving the car and other operations (signals, headlights, etc.)

For starting on a down slope one proceeds as described above but a slight backward movement must then be given to the motor car inorder to release the pawl 4 from the lateral pressure exercised by the cogged disc I.

Without the ignition key no third party can displace a car provided with this device; hence it is not only a safety device for parking on slopes, but also a protection against theft of the car or its fraudulent use by third persons.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch, a drive shaft and a clutch operating member, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, an arresting means for arresting operation of said locking means, said arresting means beingxoperatively connected with said clutch operating member and being adapted to be released simultaneously with the release of the clutch, an operating mechanism operatively connected with said locking means and being adapted to be engaged by said interlocking means in locking positionthereof, whereby the operation of said locking means is dependent on the position of said interlocking means and thereby on the position .of said key operated member and of the ignition switch opening and closing member connected thereto.

2. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock member includes a plurality of cog members disposed atequal distance from and around said drive shaft and being spaced at equal distances from one another, and. in which said locking means comprises a pawl member adapted to be slid into the spaces between said cog members and taking up only part of the spaces between said cog members.

3. A locking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 in which said lock member includes a plurality of cog members disposed at equal distance from and around said driveshaft and being spaced at equal distances from one'another, and in which I said locking means comprise a pawl member adapted to he slid into the spaces between said cog members, an actuating rod adapted to be operatively connected with and being disposed substantially parallel to said pawl member, and resilient means connected with and disposed around said rod and adapted to resiliently hold said rod in a predetermined position.

4. A locking mechanism for motor cars as claimed in. claim 1 in which said locking means comprise a base member, a locking member proper slidingly connected with said base mem ber, an acuating member connected with said I looking member proper, and a plurality of support members connected with said base member and movably supporting said actuating member.

5. A locking mechanism for motor cars having a drive :shaft, a clutch operating member, and a I key operated ignition switch, said locking mechanism comprising in combination a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, an arresting means forar'resting operation of said locking means, said arresting means being ope1- atively connected with said clutch operating for releasing saidactuating means, lock means connected with said ignition switch and engaging said holding means, when the latter are in holding position, and preventing release of said holding and release means and of said actuating means.

6. A locking mechanism for, motor vehicles having an ignition switch, a drive shaft and a clutch operating member, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated'member, an ignition switch opening and closing memher and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member'connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member and having a plurality of notches, an arresting means adapted to individually cooperate with said notches for arresting said locking means in either looking or unlocking position, said arresting means being operatively connected with said clutch operating member and being adapted to be released simultaneously with the release of the clutch, an operatingmechanism operatively connected with said locking means and being adapted to be engaged by said interlocking means in locking position thereof, whereby the operation of said locking means is dependent on the position of said interlocking 1 means and thereby onthe position of' said key operated member and of, the ignition switch opening and closing member connected thereto.

'7 A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination,

- a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, and an operating mechanism operatively connected with said locking. means and being adapted to be engaged by said interlocking means in looking position thereof, whereby the operation of said locking means is dependent on the position of said interlocking means and thereby on the position of said key ope-rated member and of the ignition switch opening and closing member connected thereto, said locking means comprising a' base member, a locking member proper movably connected withsaid. base member, and resilient retaining means connected with said base member and with said locking member for retaining said locking member in unlocking position.

8. A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch, a drive shaft and a comprising, in combination, a key operated mom'- ber, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to'locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, an arresting means for arresting operation of said locking means, said arresting means being operatively connected with said clutch operating member and being adapted to be released simultaneously with the release of the clutch, and an operating mechanism operatively connected with said locking means and being adapted to be engaged'by said interlocking means in looking position thereof, whereby the operation of said locking means is dependent on the position of said interlocking means and thereby on the position of said key operated member and of the ignition switch opening and closing member connected thereto, said locking means comprising a base member, a locking member proper movably connected with said base member, an actuating member adapted tobe tem member and another end operatively connected with said operating mechanism for actuating said actuating member and said locking member connected thereto against the action of said resilient means.

, 9. A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, and an operating mechanism operatively connected with said locking means and being adapted to be engaged by said interlocking means in looking position thereof, whereby the operation of said locking means is dependent on the position of said interlocking means and thereby on the position of said key operated member and of the ignition switch opening and closing member connected thereto, said locking means comprising a base member, a locking member proper mo-vably connected with said base member, resilient retaining means connected with said base member and with said locking member for retaining said looking member in unlocking position, and an actuating lever swingably connected with said base member and having an end adapted to be operatively connected with said locking member and another end operatively connected with said operating mechanism for actuating said locking member against the action of said resilient means.

10. A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking imeans connected with said key'operated member, said interlocking means being adapted to be moved to locking and unlocking position, upon p 11 of said key operated member and being in locking position when said switch is open and being in unlocking position when said switch is closed, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, actuating means operatively connected with said locking means, and a holding and release means operatively connected with said actuating means for holding said actuating means in position for causing engagement of said locking means and of said lock member and for releasing said actuating means and said locking means from said lock member, said holding and release means, when in releasing position, being adapted to engage and to retain said interlocking means in unlocking position thereof whereby said switch opening and closing member is in switch closing position.

11. A-locking mechanism for motor vehicles having a steering column, an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and lock said lock member, actuating means operatively connected with said locking means, said actuating means including an actuating member disposed substantially parallel and adjacent to said steering column andbeing movable along said col-- umn, and a holding and release means adapted to engage said interlocking means in locking and unlocking position thereof and being adapted to be temporarily operatively connected with said actuating member for holding said member in fixed position relatively to said steering column and for holding said actuating means in a position in which said actuating means cause engagement of said locking means and of said lock member and for releasing said actuating member and said actuating means for releasing said locking means from said lock member, whereby operation of said key operated member and of said ignition switchopening and closing member A connected thereto and of said holdin and release means and of said actuating means is interdepend'ent.

12. A locking mechanism for motor vehicles having an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination,

a key operated member, an ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member member connected thereto and manipulation of ing means inia position causing engagementof 1 said holding and release-means interdependent, and retaining means operatively connected with said holding and release means for retaining'said holding and release means in releasing position.

13. A locking mechanism for motor Vehicles having a starting switch, an ignition switch and a drive shaft, said locking mechanism comprising, in combination, a key operated m'embenan ignition switch opening and closing member and an interlocking means connected with said key operated member, said interlocking means being movable to locking and unlocking position, a lock member connected with said drive shaft, a locking means adapted to engage and; look said lock member, actuating means operatively connected with said locking means, and a holding and release'means adaptedto hold said actuatsaid locking means and of said lock member and to release said actuating means for releasing said locking means vfrorn'sai'd lock member; said hold'-' ing and releasemeans, when in releasing position, being adapted to engage and close said starting switchand being "adapted to engage said interlocking means'inunlocking position thereof and, when in holding position, being adapted; to

disengage and open said starting switch and to engage said interlocking means in looking position thereof whereby'operaticn of said starting switch andof saidkey operated member and of said switch opening and closing member and of said'holding and release means is interdependent.

VICTOR TALENT; 

